NBA: LeBron James « frustrated » by NBA protocol for COVID-19

LOS ANGELES – Returning to the game on Friday night against the Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James has said his brief stint in the NBA’s COVID-19 health and safety protocol l ‘left’ confused ‘,’ frustrated ‘and’ angry ‘.

James missed the Lakers game against the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday after testing positive for COVID-19 Tuesday morning, forcing him to isolate himself from his team and return to Los Angeles solo on a chartered plane by the team.

“I knew I was going to get the green light because I never felt sick at all,” James said after amassing 23 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists in a 119-115 loss to the Clippers. “I think it just got really mismanaged. « 

James said he initially tested negative on Tuesday and then tested positive in a follow-up test. The league reintroduced more rigorous testing in its squads after Thanksgiving in hopes of detecting an increase in cases as players spent time with family and friends for the holiday.

“Usually when you test positive, they test you right away to make sure you’re positive,” James said. “There was no follow-up test after my positive test. I was immediately placed in isolation and in protocol. This is the part that pissed me off a little. I had to find a way to get back from Sacramento on my own. They didn’t allow anyone to travel with me, no security, nothing, when I got back from Sacramento. « 

“Then I had to put my children and the people in my house in isolation during this time. It was just a big inconvenience. This is the reason I was angry. « 

James was cleared to return to training Thursday afternoon after posting a second negative PCR test within 24 hours. James has returned eight tests negative in total since returning to LA, before being cleared to reconnect with the team on Thursday, sources told ESPN.